Page 45 of Red Zone Realizations
My phone rings, breaking me of my reverie.Sarahflashes across the screen and I swipe to answer it.
I’m not excited to be talking to her considering our last phone call.
“Can you watch Mikey on Saturday? Tyler just called and bailed on his time with Mikey this weekend, and I already made plans to do extra tutoring Saturday night.”
“Hello to you too,” I say. “I have plans. A backyard BBQ thing.”
“Good. Sounds like you can bring Mikey with you.”
“It’s not at Noah’s house. It’s rude to show up with extra people.”
“It’s not nice to lie to people either…” she admonishes.
“What if I tell him just to get you off my ass? Then what?”
“You won’t.” Her voice is confident.
I can feel my teeth grinding themselves down to nothing. “How do you know?”
“You can’t help but put people before yourself. You do want to help me, and you want to keep Noah. This way, you’re doing both. You’re welcome.”
She’s not wrong. I’m still fully convinced that if Noah knew all of me, he wouldn’t be interested. The way he kissed me the other day makes me think I could have everything. That if I asked for it, he would give it to me. I’m just not someone who asks for what they want.
“I have to double check and make sure it’s okay.”
“You do that.” I hang up with Sarah and go right to my text messages with Noah.
ME: Hey, Sarah just called and I’ve got the nibling on Saturday night so I can’t go.
There. Open ended, ball in his court.
I swipe away my texts, and turn back to my laptop. The bright red number over my email is giving me acid reflux, and I’m determined to get it down to zero before lunchtime. I’m about to type out my salutation when my phone rings again, Noah’s name across it and a photo of him with a butterfly on his shoulder from the museum.
For the second time in five minutes, I swipe to answer my phone.
“Just bring him.”
“What? Who?” My voice is tinged with confusion.
“Your nephew. Just bring him to the team dinner on Saturday night. It’s at Jaden’s house. Chill vibes, and family friendly. It’s a pool and grill out kind of thing.”
“I could never impose like that. I’m already your plus one, I couldn’t bring another.”
“Audrey, it’s just one kid. I’m sure Jaden can spare an extrahot dog. There will be plenty of entertainment, and other kids will be there. Just have him pack a swimsuit.”
“I’ll need to clear it with his mom first,” I hedge.
“Of course.”
“And I would hate to be a burden.”Excuses.
“You’re not.”
“But if you insist…”
“I do.” He does.
“Okay, then.”
